Sustainable and eco-friendly transportation is the biggest challenge to urban jungles like Dublin, New York, and Paris.
Unreliable public transport has led to an increase in the number of cars on the road. This has fueled problems like traffic congestion, increased air pollution, high carbon emissions, and increased noise pollution.
Thankfully, in the past couple of years, electric cycles have emerged as a promising solution. And in this article, we’re taking a closer look at what makes electric cycles the future of eco-friendly transportation. But first, let’s look at the problems with traditional transport.
The Impact of Traditional Transport on the Environment
Traditional modes of transportation like cars, motorcycles, and even public transport have seriously impacted our environment through:
- High Emissions: The burning of fossil fuels in engines releases large amounts of chemicals into the environment. Particulate matter, carbon and nitrogen emissions, lead, and other harmful chemicals are released into the air, fueling climate change.
- Resource Depletion: Extracting and refining fossil fuels has just as much of an effect on the climate as their final use. Moreover, many natural resources are being depleted every day.
Another major problem caused by traditional transport is traffic congestion which causes massive traffic jams on a daily basis.
The only way to reduce these environmental impacts is to ditch traditional transport and look for environmentally friendly alternatives. And the section below highlights why electric cycles are a strong contender.
Why Are Electric Cycles the Future of Eco-Friendly Transportation?
Here are FIVE reasons we think electric cycles are the future of eco-friendly transportation.
1. Better Than Traditional Bicycles
There is an argument that traditional bicycles are the most environmentally friendly. However, electric bikes offer the same eco-friendliness with added convenience for the riders- which comes in different forms.
For some, it would be the extra speed. E-bikes are a lot faster than their traditional counterparts with some boasting a top-speed of up to 25 km/h. Others might prefer the sweat-free rides with the pedal assist or electric mode rides.
In short, e-bikes might be a bit more pricey, but they offer a lot more when compared to traditional bicycles
2. Carbon Footprint Reduction
Anyone looking to reduce their carbon footprint on the environment should ditch their car - which produces 4.6 metric tons carbon per year - and switch to electric bikes for commuting. There’s no fossil fuel burning inside the electric-powered motor of your e-bike. That’s why they produce ZERO carbon emissions.
Even if you just replace the short car trips with e-bike rides, you’ll significantly reduce your carbon footprint.
3. Efficient use of Energy
Electric cycles are highly energy-efficient. The electric motors use every last current of electricity to power the e-bike during pedal assist or electric mode with little to no waste. Moreover, features like regenerative braking further boost the efficiency of electric bikes.
Keeping one eye on the future and the other on the scarce resources that humanity has left, this level of energy efficiency is a must-have in all modes of transportation.
4. Low Cost, High Convenience
While the initial cost may be high, e-bikes have minimal operational and maintenance costs when compared to the alternatives. There’s no fuel expense, no regular engine tune-ups. You’ll no longer have to buy public bus passes. Moreover, e-bikes don’t have any legal expenses either. So, no insurance and tax payments to worry about.
While the costs are lower, the convenience is greater. Bypass traffic jams, no parking stress or running out of fuel, no waiting for public transport- e-bikes offer plenty of freedom and convenience.
5. Getting Greener & Smarter
The future of e-bikes is the future of environmentally friendly travel and, thanks to the constant technological advancements, it’s looking good. The use of recyclable and eco-friendly battery materials is gaining momentum. This will increase the sustainability of e-bikes and further reduce their environmental impact.
Moreover, manufacturers are integrating features like GPS, smart locking systems, mobile phone connectivity, and more to improve the user experience and further increase the convenience of e-bikes.
It’s also great to see that governments of the world are recognising the potential of electric cycles as the future of eco-friendly transportation. Many are investing heavily in cycling infrastructure and promoting e-bikes by offering incentives.
Conclusion
Electric cycles check all the right boxes by offering a cleaner, cost-effective, and convenient alternative. So, whether you're looking to cut down on emissions, save money, or simply enjoy a more effortless ride, switching to an electric cycle is a step towards a better future of eco-friendly transportation.
If you are looking to buy your first electric cycle, do check out our top 10 electric bikes for every type of rider. And if you want something compact and portable, check out the best electric kick scooters.